Product Information

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Format: DRM Protected ePubVendor: Bethany HousePublication Date: 2017

ISBN: 9781493414833ISBN-13: 9781493414833

Publisher's Description

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Seven Key Ways to Live a Life That Matters

We live in a culture that permits everything, surrounded by people skimming the surface of life, trying to piece together meaning from ever-shifting truths and fleeting fads. But in a world that stands for nothing, you can choose to stand for Something.

With warmth and wisdom that only comes from weathering the storms of life, Dennis Rainey shares seven ways to not only build a strong foundation, but to choose to live the life of purpose and potential you were created for. When the winds of culture blow, you will be able to stand firm on the Truth. You will be able to choose a life that matters. A life that makes a difference in the here and now--a life that echoes into eternity.

You are at a crossroads of culture and Christianity. Which way will you choose to live?

Author Bio

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Dennis Rainey is the president and cofounder of FamilyLife, a Cru ministry. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and hosts conferences on marriage, men's ministry, and parenting. Dennis is the daily host of the nationally syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today. He and his wife, Barbara, live near Little Rock, Arkansas, and have six adult children and a bunch of grandchildren.

While preparing for a divinity school commencement speech, Dennis Rainey was left with the challenge: What to say to a group of students who had studied under some of the brightest minds in theology? What could there possibly be left to say? But outside the doors of school lay the real world. Fraught with marriage and deaths, mortgages and babies, what choices in life would actually bring them closer to Christ? Who would these students become when life caught up to them?

That's when Rainey developed the seven principles for this book:

Seek God, Not Sin

Fear God, Not Men

Love God, Not the World

Believe God, Not the Deciever

Obey God, Not Your Feelings

Worship God, Not Comfort

Serve God, Not Self

Though only seven compact chapters, this little book packs a powerful punch. Focused on drawing closer to God and those around us, each chapter outlines the "choice" though Biblical insight, life stories, and application questions. Although this book could be read in an afternoon, it's sure to have a deeper impact when savored, worked through, and applied. Don't let the size deceive you; this book is powerful. This is one of those books that I will be returning to again and again in the future.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

Choosing A Life That Matters: 7 Decisions You'll Never Regret by Dennis Rainey is a small but powerful book. In it, Dennis presents seven sets of do and don't principles that will help guide you to a more fulfilling personal journey with God while helping you to discover what purpose God has for so many of life's common experiences. Combining personal anecdotes with Biblical truth, Dennis not only reminds us of the importance of following these seven principles, but he also lists "life skills" which act as mini homework assignments to help navigate the terrain of each step.

In Choosing A Life That Matters, we will rediscover the reasons to seek, love, and obey God while learning how to maintain closeness in relationships with both God and other people without stumbling over many of the common pitfalls that can hinder a Christian's journey. I would recommend this book for anyone starting out on a new leg of their physical or spiritual life, whether graduating college, getting married, or learning how to adjust to life after the kids leave home. While the principles being taught will not be new concepts to most readers, Dennis shed new light on them in a way to help revitalize a stagnant pursuit and revolutionize the way that you think of your life's pursuits and goals. 5/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from Bethany House, the publisher, for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Dennis Rainey's pocket-sized book, Choosing a Life that Matters, is a power punch of God's goodness wrapped up in his own words. Dennis, from what I can tell, is one of those rare gems, a guy who's sold out for Christ and standing upon the word of God to show how we can live fruitful and meaningful lives.

While it can be said you can read this book in one night, I find it far more fitting to read through it slowly so everything can simmer and in the end be found "just right." I am by no means a cook, like my wife is, but let me interject this viewpoint rather quickly. As my wife Tanya cooks, she brings in the right combinations of spices, aromatics, and food to make a wonderful dish. When I say, "read through this book slowly so everything can simmer," I'm saying that instead of rushing through the book just to finish it; allow the words Dennis uses to soak in and work on you.

The Bible needs to be read in the same manner. It is to be studied, to be relied upon, to be allowed the right to look in the darkest corners bringing light to your heart and mind. And I honestly believe Dennis Rainey does a great job explaining and showing how we can have a life that matters to God. If we would just allow ourselves the right to seek Him, to be passionate about Him, we wouldn't sin half as much. Yes, we still will sin, but not as far as we used to.

I find that when I truly read this short but powerful book, I wasn't just listening to Dennis Rainey. I felt like I was sitting with Jesus. It's as if you are sat at the Master's feet, listening to Him speak about how to love others and to glorify God at the same time. I would love to be able to make that all the more evident in my life. So, suffice it to say I found Dennis's book a good read; one that provokes the thought, and makes you want to effect change.

In a little gift sized book, Dennis Rainey gives the secret to fully serving and surrendering to God. When we choose God first and foremost, the rest falls into place. That is not to guarantee life will be easy, but if we place God first, it will be doable.

At the end of each of these chapters, Dennis gives Life Skills, ways to put the chapter into practice. For example, how to grow in faith from the chapter on believing God, be intentional about Bible intake, with suggestions on what to read and do. Search, discover, write and apply every day. Recall the big and little things God has done for you. Obey what you know. Read books and mine hearts. Evict unwelcome house guests. Some of these were in my own words.

I liked this aspect of practicality that comes with these principles. Sometimes it's easy to write or read about these things, but not so easy to apply them in real life. Even knowing what to do doesn't mean it will be easy. It will still take discipline, but a little book like this is easy to read and a good reminder to keep following Jesus and trusting God and not be sidelined by the lesser things like the worldly comforts, peer pressure, etc.

And then he ends with these this quote:

"To seek God is the greatest quest.

To fear God is the greatest respect.

To love God is the greatest affection.

To obey God is the greatest act.

To believe God is the greatest adventure.

To worship God is the greatest experience.

To serve God is the greatest privilege.

All this so that God may be glorified and exalted."

That is the ultimate purpose of why we are here on earth.

I received this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review.

About a decade ago Rainey was asked to speak at the commencement ceremony of a prominent divinity school. He wanted to give the graduates something that would help them choose a life that matters. As he pondered what to say, he determined the essence of what the Bible teaches about what God expects of us. He came up with seven concepts and writes about them here.

Seek God, not sin

Fear God, not man

Love God, not the world

Believe God, not the deceiver

Obey God, not your feelings

Worship God, not comfort

Serve God, not self

Rainey writes from a life time of serving the Lord in Christian ministry. He has developed a good understanding of the kind of life that pleases God. These seven concepts have served him well as boundaries and direction for his thoughts as he lived life. He has tested them for a decade and now offers them to readers.

This is a good book, one that can be read over and over again. We need reminding of what God desires of us. We need encouragement to live in a manner pleasing to Him. Rainey has provided that for us in this small but powerful book.

Rainey wanted his readers to be able to make quality decisions and be able to carry them out. He has included suggestions of life skills at the end of each chapter. My favorite was the section on fearing God, not man. Essential, Rainey writes, is practicing the presence of God. He gives several practical suggestions to help us be more aware of God and reorient our lives around Him.

I recommend this book to Christians who want to live a life pleasing to God. You'll receive some good instruction, read some good stories, and get some practical ideas to live out your godly commitments.

Food for thought: "To me, life in Christ is a process of God weaning us from loving this world while increasing our capacity and experience of loving Him." (Loc 537/1246)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.